Oktoberfest will help ideas spread
Sep 17 2009 by Stewart Watkins , The Journal
AS THE brightness of summer gives way to autumn there have been stories suggesting that things might be on the up.
Such reports seem to be somewhat scattered and may not yet represent a comprehensive picture of recovery.
As business people return from their summer breaks with renewed vigour for the challenges ahead they need to look to innovation to give their businesses that important competitive edge and ensure the kind of longevity that seems harder to come by in this day and age.
It is essential that businesses embrace new technologies and continue to look at new ways of doing things in order to stay ahead and compete in an increasingly globalised society.
With this in mind, County Durham's second Oktoberfest will take place on October 1. The importance for businesses of exchanging ideas cannot be understated and the event has been organised to help create close ties between buyers and suppliers in their sector.
The event is being organised by the Engineering Clusters County Durham group in collaboration with Tees Valley Engineering Partnership, South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum and the North East Process Industry Cluster.
Not only will it offer businesses the opportunity to take part in comprehensive seminars on useful topics such as how to be good at sales and practical help for manufacturers, but it will also give buyers and suppliers the chance to meet each other at individual one-to-one sessions to discuss needs and develop trading relations.
Oktoberfest 2009 will welcome some of the UK's most innovative businesses such as Honda, Thorn and BAE Systems – all businesses that rely on constant innovation and technological breakthroughs to keep them at the top of their respective industries.
Such events are crucial to encourage greater levels of cooperation and inter-trading between businesses which is why County Durham Development Company and Durham County Council is giving this event its wholehearted support. They help suppliers understand the ever-changing needs of buyers and encourage them to adapt in innovative ways to ensure these needs are met. They also generate links between companies to encourage trading, something that is essential if we are to pull out of recession any time soon.
For more information on the event please go to: www.durhamoktoberfest.org.uk.
Stewart Watkins is managing director of the County Durham Development Company.
